A lightning delay came at a good time Friday for the Brandywine football team in its Lakeland Conference game against Buchanan.

The Bobcats regained momentum after the hour and a half break and held on for a 15-14 win.

When the delay took place at the end of the third quarter, the Bucks had scored 14 straight points and had a 1st-and-10 at its own 42-yard line.

After the break, Brandywine’s defense held Buchanan to 29 yards, and offensively, the Bobcats ran out the final 5:23 on the clock.

“We thought at the time (the lightning delay) was an advantage to us because Buchanan had the momentum,” said Brandywine coach Mike Nate. “We came out very focused in that fourth quarter.”

The win, which improves Brandywine to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference, is very significant. The Bobcats qualify for the playoffs for the second straight year and snap a seven-game losing streak to Buchanan. The Bobcats are also off to a 6-0 start for the first time since 1995.

“We’re going to the playoffs,” Nate said. “Great effort. Buchanan played great. It’s been a long time since we’ve beat them. It’s really a sweet victory for us.”

After stopping Buchanan on a 4th-and-3 at Brandwine’s 47-yard line, the Bobcats got the ball at its own 49-yard line with 5:23 showing on the clock. Brandywine then sealed the win by picking up four first downs and rushing for 39 yards. Marty Ward Jr. rushed for 35 yards on seven carries during that drive. Ward finished the game with 97 yards rushing on 21 carries with a touchdown.

“I was just happy with the team’s win,” said Ward Jr. “We did a great job.”

“Smash-mouth football,” Nate said about the final drive. “We tried to throw a little bit, probably a little bit too much. The offensive line got it done and we had a great drive to eat up the last five or six minutes of the game.”

Despite outgaining Buchanan, 222 yards to 80 in the first half, Brandywine led only 15-8 at halftime. An end zone interception by Buchanan’s Doug Freeman and a missed field goal from 36 yards prevented the Bobcats from having a bigger lead at halftime.

Brandywine quarterback Andrew Duckett and Ward Jr. each had one-yard touchdown runs in the first half for Brandywine. In the first half, Duckett rushed for 57 yards on seven carries and completed 4-of-7 passes for 91 yards. All four of those completions went to Trent Moskwinski.

“I haven’t been playing well lately,” Moskwinski said. “It was nice to get back in the groove and help the team out as much as I could.”

Freeman’s 44-yard touchdown run pulled Buchanan within 15-14 with 3:57 left in the game. Ward Jr. blocked the extra-point.

“I thought they’d go for two with Freeman three yards away,” Nate said. “They kicked it and Marty Ward blocked it. That’s the difference in the game. Our special teams have really helped us this year.”

Freeman, who came into the game with 758 yards rushing on 105 carries, was held to 93 yards on 16 carries.

“Our defense played great,” Nate said. “They did a great job on Doug Freeman. Our defense won this game for us.”

Buchanan’s defense held Brandywine to 33 yards and one first down in the third quarter.

“We had to earn it,” Nate said. “We didn’t play well at times on offense. But, it’s a W, and that’s all that matters. There was no way these seniors were going to lose to Buchanan.”

 

 Buchanan 0 8 6  0 – 14

Brandywine 8 7 0 0 – 15

BR – Andrew Duckett 1 run (Duckett pass to Marty Ward Jr.)

BR – Ward Jr. 1 run (Zach Schmidt kick)

BU – Alex Martinez 35 pass from Alex Leiter (Leiter run)

BU – Doug Freeman 44 run (kick blocked)